The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-27
AMERICANS In LONDON
In ANTICIPATION OF THE GREAT
EXHIBITION,
The Buildings for Which Are Berg
Raridly Observation-Disclosures
and Fashionable Gossip.

isPEoIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE APPEAL
LONDON, March 1.-THE influx
OF Americans into London has
already begun, as is shown by the in
creasing passenger lists of the great
Atlantic steamships. Last summer
it is stated there were about 10000
Americans who passed through Lon
don, tarrying for varying periods. At
the consulate the other day l wasin-
formed that there is resident col
ony of Americans in London num-
bering about 1900. Where they
all keep themselves it is hard
to say, but it is certain that to
great extent they avoid each
other, instead of fraterniszing as
they do in Paris, Florence, Rome,
and elsewhere. One reason for this,
1 fancy, is that they are not drawn
together by desire to speak their
mother tongue as they are on the
Continent, and there are other rea-
sons not worth while speaking Of
here. But it occurred to me that if
| there were 10000 Americans crossed
last year, it is not unlikely that,
with the combined attractions
of Jubilee year and the Ameri-
can Exposition, at least 10000 or
10000 more will come over this
year, and the great steamships
will be crowded to their ut
most capacity. In fact it has
been rumored here that spectators
had been buying up choice rooms on
the favorite ships, in order to get
corner on the market, and exact
high prices for them. l inquired
among the steamship Offices here
and found that they did not believe
the story, and they more than salts
fed me not only that they were not
in collision with any spectators,
but that they disapproved very
strongly OF speculation in cabin pas
sengers. They very justly say that
1t will make passengers dissatisfied
and hard to please, and that they
will do all they can to prevent it.
A gentleman connected with the
Anchor Line of steamships told me
with pride that they were going to
exhibit in the American Exhibition
asfne model of the City of Rome,
which is the largest steamship ever
built, except the Great Eastern, and
as she was a failure, really the
largest ship in the world. As l have
made several trips in that mammoth
steamship, and found her a floating
palace, and a comfortable home, |
feel as if | had heard good news of
an old friend. 1t suggested itself
then that | did not know or realize,
except in a. general way, how
vast an undertaking is the running
of such a ship, and l doubt if many
old voyagers even ever do, much less
the millions who never saw salt |
water or crossed it, so | proceeded |
to interview my friend on the sub
ject of the floating city. He warned |
me his figures were not exact to
fraction, but they were sufficiently
close to give one an idea of the ex-
pense and labor involved. The cost |
of round trip of one of these great
ships is something over $4,000 to
start with.
Then to come to details, the cater
ing department is work that can
only be accomplished by experienced |
men. The chief steward usually cal
culates upon an allowance of pound
and half of meat per day for each
person, together with liberal allow
ance of fresh vegetables, fish, fruit,
etc., etc. The Rome" when she is
running full, as she does in summer,
ships from 10000 to 1900 pounds OF
fresh meat, and it is served daily to
passengers and crew. In case
Of delay from accident, how
ever, the steerage passen-
gers and crew would put on salt ra-
tons, and then the supply would last
several weeks in the first cabin.
There are separate and enormous ice
cellars, the fish, poultry and meats
being kept in separate refrigerators.
According to the season, from twelve
to tweuty-feur tons of ice are re-
quired to supply the ship. Eggs are
laid in fresh at the last moment for
each trip, and preserved by a prepar-
ton of lime and some other matter.
Something like half ton OF but
ter is used in trip, and 1000 to 1000
cigars. The quantity of wine and
beer consumed is enormous, but it
varies very much, as ON some trips
we carry remarkable number of
Americans who do not drink with
their meals, as all Europeans do.
The silver in use in the saloon num-
bers nearly 1000 pieces, which has to
be looked after and kept clean. The
towels, table linen and furniture COW
erings are changed daily, and as no
washing is done ON board, the stock
is enormous. Sometimes nearly 1000
napkins alone are used on trip,
1900 to 1900 sheets and 5000 to 5000
towels The officers and crew num-
Der about 200 souls. The coal burned
varies with the speed, but, q large
ship like the Rome, will burn over
5000 to 400l tons of coal in round
trip.
Think of the resemblance to city
in other ways. Except in name.
There is butchers shop, bakers
shop, a grocer's shop, a wine shop,
cigar shop, BARRIERS shop, a car
penter's shop, a blacksmith's shop
and a sailmaker's shop, and more
than that, printing Office, where
bills of fare and other matter are
printed and from which weekly
paper is published. There is a par
entail government, and the ship is
policed by watchmen and guarded
by fire brigade, and lastly there is
usually as much gossip and jealousy
as in any small city, before the ship
has been forty-eigbt hours to sea.
There is something for you to think
of when you are coming your 1900
mile journey in a week from land to
land.
Mrs. Brown Potter is announced
to appear here at the Haymarket
Theater, but the critics do not en-
thuse much at the prospect, and say
they are quite aware her appear